CORPUS CAVERNOSUM SMOOTH MUSCLE MODULATORY EFFECTS OF ETHANOL EXTRACT AND FRACTIONS OF MORORDICA CHARANTIA Linn (CUCURBITACEAE)
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This study investigated the modulatory effects of ethanol extract and solvent fractions of Momordica charantia on corpus cavernosum smooth muscle, aiming to identify potential therapeutic agents for erectile dysfunction. Powdered M. charantia was macerated in 1.5 L ethanol, yielding a concentrated extract (15.57 % yield, 77.85 g). The crude extract was dissolved and fractionated sequentially with n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate to obtain distinct fractions alongside a residual aqueous fraction.
Solutions of 1.5625, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/mL were prepared for the extract, its fractions, and a sildenafil citrate extract (used as a standard)., The corpus cavernosum smooth muscle was isolated from male rats and mounted in an organ bath containing Kreb’s solution. Incremental volumes (25 µL, 62.5 µL, 125 µL, and 250 µL) of stock solution of extract and
fraction were administered with a four-minute contact time per dose. Each extract/fraction was tested in triplicate, and the responses were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. An F-statistic of 10.9523, which exceeded the F-critical value of 2.53, indicated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) among the treatments. Phytochemical tests were carried out using standard
procedures to determine secondary metabolites present in the plant material Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, reducing sugars, and cardiac glycosides. These bioactive compounds may contribute to smooth muscle relaxation via multiple mechanisms including nitric oxide (NO) release, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway activation, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibition, calcium channel blockade, and antioxidant effects. Notably, the n-hexane fraction exhibited the ix lowest EC50 (0.257 mg), suggesting it possesses the highest potency in modulating smooth
muscle tone compared to other fractions and even the sildenafil citrate extract. In conclusion, the ethanol extract and its fractions from M. charantia significantly modulate corpus cavernosum smooth muscle activity.
Solutions of 1.5625, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/mL were prepared for the extract, its fractions, and a sildenafil citrate extract (used as a standard)., The corpus cavernosum smooth muscle was isolated from male rats and mounted in an organ bath containing Kreb’s solution. Incremental volumes (25 µL, 62.5 µL, 125 µL, and 250 µL) of stock solution of extract and
fraction were administered with a four-minute contact time per dose. Each extract/fraction was tested in triplicate, and the responses were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. An F-statistic of 10.9523, which exceeded the F-critical value of 2.53, indicated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) among the treatments. Phytochemical tests were carried out using standard
procedures to determine secondary metabolites present in the plant material Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, reducing sugars, and cardiac glycosides. These bioactive compounds may contribute to smooth muscle relaxation via multiple mechanisms including nitric oxide (NO) release, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway activation, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibition, calcium channel blockade, and antioxidant effects. Notably, the n-hexane fraction exhibited the ix lowest EC50 (0.257 mg), suggesting it possesses the highest potency in modulating smooth
muscle tone compared to other fractions and even the sildenafil citrate extract. In conclusion, the ethanol extract and its fractions from M. charantia significantly modulate corpus cavernosum smooth muscle activity.
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